We live at Keepers Cottage, on The North Rhins, SW Scotland and because of its situation and the variety of wildlife that can be seen in and around the cottage, I decided to keep a wildlife diary. We also enjoy regular walks in beautiful Dumfries and Galloway and beyond which I also record here, with photos and few words.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Water of Minnoch 28th January 2012

A cold and icy day so a nice circular walk along the banks of the Water of Minnoch.

Snowy logs

Icicle

Ice patterns

Ice

Snow lined path

Icicles over the water

Frozen water droplets

Snowy Galloway Hills

Crossbills

More ice

Reflected rushes

Sparkling trees

Ancient woodland

Moss

Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum)

Mist

Metallic ice

Looking for merks in the kist

Moss covered wall

Stone stile

Sticta sylvatica

Icicles

Usnea subfloridana

New Cree Valley sign

Snow scene

Ice and snow

Walking the embankment

Dipper..

..and a bit closer

Don’t look round but I think we are being followed!

…by a whole flock!

Bird of prey kill

Sphaerophorus globosus

Tumbling water

Water of Minnoch

Moss covered tree

The swinging pool

The Roman Bridge

Swirling bubbles

Then on our way back home just as it was getting dark an amazing starling murmuration over Stranraer Harbour….

2 comments:

Dear Valerie, we have just discovered your blog and I think that your photography is fantastic, especially the starling murmurations ! I write a blog called Sally of Forest Gate on www.davidnashleather.blogspot.com and you will see a few that feature Dumfries and Galloway ! Kind Regards, David Nash.

About Me

I have a passion for wildlife and conservation and wildlife recording in my local area. I am a keen walker and photographer. I live in beautiful Dumfries and Galloway, SW Scotland.My garden is wild and full of wonderful wildlife including Red Squirrels, Hares, Rabbits, moths, butterflies, frogs, newts, lizards, loads of insects and a large variety of birds. I am also an illustrator and designer of greetings cards and childrens books, under the name Rie Designed. I run Wildforms - Gardening for Wildlife and Nature Education with my husband Pete.